A clear moon shone over China, and the old locust tree, which had lost all its thin leaves, looked down at his own moonlight and felt sorry for himself. In fact, he was just trying to prevent himself who had been meditating for thousands of years from being disturbed by the movement in the side room next to him. However, the whispers and gasps that only Laohuai could hear made Laohuai, who had stood for thousands of years, involuntarily become intoxicated in the evening breeze, swaying and dancing with the wind.
The condolence performance of the Ministry of Culture was indeed very effective. Not only the soldiers and civilians in the city were in a state of excitement, but even our General Zhuo became energetic. On the second day, the Ministry of Culture started a ten-day performance in the People's Square in front of the county government in Chao County. Every day, after a busy day, people would gather in front of the county government office to watch the performance with great interest. The shows such as The White-Haired Girl and The Mighty Destroy of the Tartars have become sensational. Through these shows, many people learned about Shenlong Mountain for the first time, and learned about Zhuo Bufan, the mighty general who once shocked the Northern Kingdom, and that the mighty general is now in Shenlong Mountain. It was almost a myth, and the performance that specifically highlighted Zhuo Bufan's tall and majestic image had the desired effect. Coupled with the well-known deeds of the mighty general who used 5,000 divine dragon troops to annihilate Zhang Xianzhong's 100,000-strong army, Zhuo Bufan's reputation is really at its peak in Chao County, and no one can match it. At the same time, Xiao Yuhuan's reputation is also spread everywhere, and she may be charming or tragic, heroic or youthful, but those who have the opportunity to watch the show will talk about it because they can catch a glimpse of the big star Xiao Yuhuan. []
Soon, judging from the news that came back from the Shenyin Camp, Zhuo Bufan¡¯s reputation spread throughout Dahua at an extremely fast speed along with those who returned home. For a time, the reputation of Dahua's mighty General Zhuo Bufan, who was invincible and conquered all battles, far surpassed that of any famous general in the past.
The common people had a new topic to talk about after dinner. Dahua had a mighty general. The Tatars outside the customs and the insurrectionary army were all children's toys. They were passed on from person to person. In the end, Zhuo Bufan naturally became There are living mythological characters, including the living God of War, the mortal God Erlang who descended from Sirius and was reincarnated as the illegitimate son of Emperor Hongwu, and all the gods are not human beings.
These are exactly the effects that Zhuo Bufan wants. Shenlongshan has passed the time of holding back. At the same time, this kind of public opinion is very helpful for him to get what he wants from the court. Naturally, Zhuo Bufan's reputation quickly spread to the capital. At this time, the court was worried about this matter.
Chongzhen was very worried. This was the big victory that Dahua was looking forward to. Zhang Xianzhong was not a good guy. He was robbing our royal ancestral tombs. He really hated him. Now he is finally being punished.
Law, the ancestors who have suffered great grievances can rest in peace. For this reason, Chongzhen even went to Jingshan to burn incense and kneel in the sky to worship his ancestors. He finally had an explanation for his ancestors. It stands to reason that Dahua won a great victory and his great revenge was avenged. Chongzhen should be happy and should not be worried. However, judging from the actual situation, it was the Zhuo family who resigned and Zhuo Bufan, who was always unwilling to obey, who did this. event. Moreover, it is unbelievable that five thousand private soldiers managed it all by themselves, and this main credit was not lost. However, this matter was embarrassing. Dahua's hundreds of thousands of troops encircled and suppressed them but were defeated. Zhuo Bufan casually led thousands of people to destroy the eight kings who had harmed Dahua for decades. Either Dahua is incompetent, or the court cannot recognize and employ people, so such a good person resigned and went into seclusion. Rewarding him is like slapping himself in the face. If he doesn't reward him, there will be no one willing to serve the imperial court in the future. Sad, sad.
Zhou Zijin was still observing the situation, and it happened that Huang Degong also hurried to the capital. Zhou Zijin then directly read a book and counted Zhuo Bufan's major crimes, but these crimes were too insignificant compared with the credit for annihilating Zhang Xianzhong. At this time, several generals of the Dahua Army who participated in the encirclement and suppression also arrived in the capital and presented military reports and Zhang Xianzhong's head. Among them, there was also a memorial to Zhuo Bufan.
Chongzhen quickly put all other things aside and went to the imperial study room where he met the hero to dismantle it himself. I laughed when I looked at it. This Zhuo Bufan is really a dandy. He can't be pinched or held up. It's still pink and slippery when he holds it, and he disappears without paying attention.
Zhuo Bufan's memorial is very simple, and the wording and sentence construction are also quite unique. At first glance, it is written by him. The general idea is, Your Majesty, my father and I are no longer your officials, but we are still citizens of the country. This time I risked my life for the imperial court to kill Zhang Xianzhong. That head was plastered with lime and given to you. , not fake. This credit is great enough, but Your Majesty, you don¡¯t need to tell the world to commend me or anything, let alone give me an official title. This is what we, the people of Great China, should do. But I also know that you are the king of a country, with clear rewards and punishments. If I don't allow you to reward me, wouldn't it be looking down on you? Isn't it making you laughable by everyone in the world? You can't do this. Well, just give me the Chaoxian County I conquered. This place is not far from our hometown. You can also visit the lake and drink. The beauties in the southern water towns are all very beautiful. I like it very much. We will still turn over to the treasury at double the amount of silver we pay as annual tribute. The money will only be more.Quite a few. At the end of the memorial, he actually emphasized again that this is giving me the autonomy of Chao County, not a land or title. Your Majesty, of course you understand.
Understand, Chongzhen certainly understands. This was about benefits and not trouble. Chongzhen was so angry that he laughed, but he really couldn't let go of his anger. What's more, if you think about it carefully, Zhuo Bufan just wants to be a quiet county magistrate, and he is willing to double the tax. As for what matters about autonomous management, the imperial court has appointed so many county magistrates, so it's pretty much the same under their jurisdiction.
In his heart, Chongzhen had already agreed to Zhuo Bufan's request, but he was still a little worried about Zhuo Bufan's unwillingness to serve the court. Five thousand private soldiers could defeat Zhang Xianzhong. It would be great if he was willing to control himself. . As for the report by Liu Liangzuo and others that five thousand private soldiers annihilated an army of hundreds of thousands, Chongzhen did not believe it.
In this way, the imperial court's reward was quickly issued. Huang Degong was the nominal commander-in-chief, so he naturally contributed the most. Liu Liangzuo was promoted to a rank and was still appointed as the commander-in-chief of Jiangnan, protecting Nanjing, the Yingtian Mansion, and the prosperous places in Jiangnan. All the soldiers of Hong Chengchou's army who participated in the war were rewarded and allowed to rest for half a month before returning to the army. In this way, all those who participated in the war and made meritorious service will be rewarded generously. The entire reward edict did not mention Zhuo Bufan, the greatest contributor. Don't you want fame and only wealth? Then I will just pretend that you don't exist. This is how Chongzhen felt some balance. At the same time, Chongzhen still would not let a person who is not under his control rise to a very high level, never.
" In this way, Zhou Zijin and others regarded it as their own victory. Zhuo Bufan, aren't you amazing? After making such a great contribution, it's still nothing. Huang Degong was so complacent that he benefited from the flattery of others, so naturally he could not see the deep contempt in others' eyes. The capital was once again festive. The imperial court held a series of celebrations in the Ancestral Temple, the Imperial City, and the Meridian Gate. The common people also cheered happily, including free victory wine in the street market and a lantern poetry show in the evening. Even the girl in the Red Mansion They also looked at the military discount with happy faces, and for a while, it was much more lively than the Lantern Festival that just passed.
Everyone seemed to be satisfied, except for Zhuo Bufan, who was supposed to be the biggest contributor. Although some people in the army were very aggrieved for Zhuo Bufan, they never had the courage to directly remonstrate, and in the end they could only talk in private.
The special envoy who rewarded the three armies arrived in Chaoxian County more than a month later to express condolences to Liu Liangzuo's troops after the aftermath. The special envoy also brought Chongzhen's oral edict. Zhuo Bufan's request was met. Chaoxian County will be autonomously governed by Zhuo Bufan, and his authority will be much larger than that of ordinary county magistrates. Of course, this oral instruction can only be given to Zhuo Bufan.
Zhuo Bufan is not annoyed at being deliberately ignored. Have we suffered a loss? No, what I want is Chao County, which will become the first extraterritorial base area in the true sense of Shenlong Mountain. It is legal and even has greater autonomy rights than ordinary princely fiefdoms. Compared with Shenlong Mountain, with Chao Lake as its back and facing Yingtian Mansion and the bustling and prosperous Jiangnan, Chao County is really the best base area. Otherwise, Zhang Xianzhong would not have taken a fancy to this place. As for the oral instructions, Zhuo Bufan didn't take it seriously. In fact, this was just a formality. It sounded like a reward from the court, but in fact it was just me giving you face. I have decided on this Chao County.
It is worth mentioning that when the special envoy from the capital arrived in Chaoxian County, he almost fell down when he got out of the carriage. How come the city walls in Chaoxian County are gone at all, but the neat, tall blue-gray houses all over the streets are bright and spacious. , a wide street with gurgling water in front of the hall and behind the hall. The endless stream of caravans can easily enter the city without entering the city for inspection. The goods and pedestrians coming from south to north are flowing in an orderly manner.
The special envoy rubbed his eyes vigorously, and even had the illusion that the carriage accidentally entered the realm of Dahua. Is this still Chao County? Is this still the capital of Dahua?
However, Chao County is now Zhuo Bufan's territory. As long as he pays his taxes on time, the court will not meddle in his affairs. No matter what becomes of this place, the land cannot escape. It is still Dahua¡¯s royal land. The special envoy who received the interview from Chongzhen just silently wrote down what he saw and heard, without mentioning any official politeness. Many days later, the special envoy left Chaoxian County and returned to the capital to report on his duties. In addition to writing down the things that needed to be reported, he also carried a still photo and portrait of Xiao Yuhuan. Every time he took a break on the road or went to camp, he would take it out and look at it secretly, sighing and feeling nostalgic.
The name of the People's Government of Chao County has been put up. No matter what the court's final attitude is, the banner of Shenlong Mountain has also been put up. The People's Government is not just a sign, it cannot be just an empty frame shouting slogans. There is still a lot to do in the future. A new city that is different from the past needs not only a bright appearance and distinctive features, but also how to give people a new impression and hope in terms of people's livelihood.
In the room, Zhuo Bufan spread out the map in front of him. This map was re-mapped by Shenlong Mountain. It has scale, landmarks, resource distribution, etc.?Lifting up the pen, the tip of the pen crossed Shenlong Mountain, Chaoxian County and Yingtianfu, and a triangle appeared on the map.
"Well, that's right, it's just regular. From now on, this will be my golden triangle. Uh, this name seems very familiar."